Ian Thomsen, SI.com

Our three Dennis and Callahan it is obviously the Celtics. Have joined the patriots in their dissent from the mountaintop you know that mountaintop -- them. Among the elites in the NFL the elites in the NBA and by that I mean you know are they -- are they expected to and you. Feel that there is a viability to a championship for either one of these teams battled in the conversation right now -- the -- read about this morning after yesterday's loss for the lakers. Comes on SI and SI dot com our Fred Thompson joins us on the phone lines good morning Ian how aria. I'm well are are we watching the window well I think that's obvious we are watching the window closed how quickly is the window closing you and.

I Oracle's fastest vehicle it route if they don't think it's a you know they they are themselves in the -- Garnett this past week or so. In the available. And is that in the two with just the way they play. He tried to make that stupid while we can transition they wrote it it will make it went to -- these to beat it with with the way. -- the traditional style that in the -- able. With a chance to.

Including what adding we get new guys in like getting Kirk Hinrich -- Ballard or somebody out there.

No more military to me like Garnett needs to be more of the better. Right now. And not as though he's not beating guys found word entrances and the objects. Needs to be. Where that post up guys was a little bit more inside the label it needs to figure out what you can do it and do that because what he's doing right now isn't.

You make the point in your piece Ian that they've been outscored in the fourth quarter in twelve of their last fourteen games is that just age and injury here because they play well for a large portion of that game but again down the stretch. As they did against Orlando as a getting its Atlanta the faded.

It is -- in the entry and I really think they're asking too much less on. The year. Be doing so much carry them. Played a lot of minutes and and we've in the fourth quarters the ways we've been having to do it I think he's he's a long way it. Let the players will be -- that are. -- right now they're asking too much. Analyze what the -- it's just doesn't make sense that he doesn't make sense when you look at the hierarchy think about two years ago. When you look at what that this that these it's -- bombing that it's not be. The order and they don't have that. On those that the idea. That the point guard with increased. And really all -- not -- Garnett who insult and he's got to figure out some way to be productive.

In your estimation is -- doing more harm than good.

He's he's in the that this. He cannot they'll be -- to any -- because rule that is the he did not have a good year last year -- love it. And they'll all idealists and -- the and a spot player. What it -- that we went wild in the beginning but not it would have and so in this position -- as he that this is. I don't think.

You know I've read and heard the number of locations since these three glamour games did not -- the celtics' way well you know Garnett still coming back and finding a sea legs and and pierce said the injury and all that sort of stuff win this team gets healthy and two months they will be viable are for the playoffs and think about that you talk about 34 3332 year old guys and -- saying is. Two more months of grinding out NBA victories that seemed to be. Harder and harder to come by we'll have these guys in better shape when the playoffs roll around I mean it might -- just the opposite they make -- worse shape when the playoffs roll around Ian.

That's true and what if you don't you right now is the ingenuity. You don't see the wisdom when he now that there -- Yeah. And they just start in. If it as players in the -- like. They're they're living in the past -- They're saying well I used it would use it it would it would I just think at the moment. In it inoperable or that the moment in the hoopla to what they can and can't use it seems the games to rule there. You know here's the postal. Card that -- close the in the contest the plot their games. The ineptitude of whale is that. This but -- Because that let. It.

You have great sources around the league -- you're talking to people all the time do people in other NBA cities basketball people. Think that the ear is over the Garnett pierce Allen -- has ended the window has closed.

I don't know if it is where this week but no way I think. It's going to be one of these words this -- the Celtics one being included in the compass these -- That there. And this is because. What I'm talking about your I think that. It's it's one thing then. Garnett not look good but these guys where others. Not strong in the -- right. There -- is not. They've been either in the fourth. And that's just should not happen old pollutants to steal games. And that's really what we'll. Lose the feeling like games -- that this line. And now they're not doing that anymore and I think that alone and.

What do you think if there was going to be something drastic down here gives an example will they might they trade Ray Allen.

I really don't think -- then you really have and start over into because it pertains to one died -- that. He's the one -- that it would expect -- he really think that that's -- he'd done. And they could treat mail because right now and the and expiring contract. Is that Israel is the big gas users are looking at two you're 2011. When you put the burden. That might very well -- art. Don't go way down and while we want to read that you. If we -- contract is it money. And -- When he allowed one trade. Leo where they. Felt. So. That would be it. I really think. Point of where this week -- looking and the garlic. That come off the that's the third card canceled all there all well. All of.

We're talking with Sports Illustrated the insulted and any let's get through this year let's just say for the sake of the argument they slog to the regular season may have little or no success in the postseason. If during the offseason Danny Ainge reaches the conclusion. But he'd rather you know bailed too early than wait too Long -- this team as it's currently constituted what would be a formula be for -- to try to change things around and make major overall. It all up our album aside of course. --

About that completely appointment. Why would go a couple years ago. There's only be used. Argument with right now. And you don't read I think you know. One B tree Larry Bird can kill all of these guys right now because we're tool is the moment -- If there it was only back then he was he used to joke with that it -- all of insult to be true. So. Obviously that. And then it could write that way it what they would do. And I haven't even looked at -- with Kevin Garnett you're flat can be very -- trade. I don't I don't -- that. It's expired you'll see here I just don't he would. They keep doing it quickly. If I think you're at home.

state I think essentially staggered -- too little -- so would be. Ray -- now and then Kevin Garnett and -- right. Yeah what are the other -- earlier this Internet.

It would simply be a matter. It was simply be a matter to straighten expired he'll. -- and I'm looking at the and -- expires. Next year 21 point five. And and then Garnett makes -- in ways that -- 21 point two when he went. So so you could trade -- next year and here's would probably easier to treat. Yeah.

Right and Ian Reggie Miller says it looks like Kevin Garnett drag in his leg up the court do you feel the same way benefits if that's the case. Uh oh why would anyone think that it's gonna heal up playing every night playing hard every night. And NB better be healthier in in a parliament.

It's they put their question and I wonder about myself and he does look like these. When -- when we are tracking it. You know eight like will retract the -- Still running but he took on and so. I think this does that deference to have -- that it. And he learned is that is that it where they -- but he. Bureau -- it is it's this guy -- so much. And obviously with the old hard game. They've -- the content group. I think he earned earned that. But whether he can relate to it. In the people around me be very black and equals. And skeptical. We.

three years from now two part question three years from now. Will Rondo be the centerpiece of this basketball team and Will Perkins be exposed to -- it's just another guy with the Big Three gone. --

There's there's pretenses. You know the center and bounces. Up one of those -- in we'll always have. I don't think anybody over it and right now. When the or boundaries. A lot of respect when the late in the and went our it really respect. He's always going to be. Well shall there. Although cannot be better team. Because it's not that we can keep scoring. -- And in the past and those in -- on the Iraq this fall. Terry. It's almost like Derrick Rose needs from the Chicago very badly it means really expect Gordon that's going to be on those steel. He kept -- Perfect that in theory that won't. Not one of those guys they carry.

Which is why he's not on the floor in the last whatever that was seven seconds right.

both. Again I just look at them and say it's unbelievable for the guys calm him. All the all the sense I think he got -- that that's how badly the if he was there right now those.

We'll tell us what -- a Kirk Hinrich deal look like when this team have to give --

You know -- I think what they were proposing was to. Spare parts but. When it did not -- be -- there and and whatever expiring contract. It would take between you know they'll be. You know one of those strapped in there -- it. Maybe even even thrown at though because it.

He would play with Rondo and and back --

Either he would give their guard and the and it was finally -- back when -- And that was one thing doc talked about yesterday one was on the set it all. Mark in. All. Rounds without that so Hendrick was given it is the perfect. When they are within one would be between you won't be on the he -- we urgency. It would it would do a lot for them. Really that that trade -- is it here.

It's almost like no one wants to post up on this team anymore and and like you mentioned pierce he doesn't want them Arnett is too far from the basket. No Rasheed -- out it's an accord he uses 27 right feet away and no one wants to go inside.

Yeah. Here's when civil right go to your you know and when they were only interest was developed post. Because. Garnett has never -- and that and it be that when he got that in him -- in the finals. Full. Kind of receipt. Ever since that seven gains were beaten Italy Mexico and we mr. Keep up when. An increase -- and -- Here. Just cannot it and do it and it's less likely have them.

I didn't we see a Shelden Williams contribute to this team earlier in the year did we see Bill Walker contribute to this team. At the end of last year and suddenly they seem to be elect the Bill Belichick of -- dog house.

So -- answer -- the problem. Hard to beat the wave. He needs the then watch them with a Catholic and are an important principle yeah. That's sort of where shall wait. And so it's the start. -- And Bill Walker. Oh in the question. -- to.

But a question you know three weeks ago everybody in that locker room and most observers of the -- condition were saying well we -- KG gets backed everything will be okay now he's back and everything's not okay and now -- saying Marquis Daniels will there be a palpable noticeable difference in the second unit and and and how this team can function and operate when Marquis Daniels walked through that door.

Yeah boat -- stable is excited that. Here be hurt. And this could become -- does -- get her to get right. He will help a lot. Well they -- first. You know it's amazing he's in one and so -- Look at standing. If there -- guys to get better beat you it's a -- They they can't they can't he would position. In the two months they'll and so they have they have put themselves in the spot where they can do something but it's not like -- If they had all these other moves its work in the and note that matters is the beat here playing well as that read them or the we've got to be. Complete but.

It's also thanks for the time appreciated -- enjoyed the -- this morning hey thank you all right Ian Thompson from Sports Illustrated joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T a better. Three G experience.